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A Better Way to Use Punch Cards in the Classroom

Learn how to upgrade a standard behavior or incentive punch
card with this simple hack to make a sticker punch card for instant positive reinforcement and long-term goal setting in one.

What Are Punch Cards?

A punch card is a piece of cardstock usually with a student
name and a certain amount of “slots” that are punched by the teacher. The slots can be punched when the teacher
observes positive student behaviors – this is usually discussed ahead with the
student as part of a classroom management plan or an individual behavior
plan.

You can also use punch cards to “save
up” for something – for example a student receives a punch with every library
book returned. Slots are typically punched with a traditional hole puncher. Once the card is filled, the student earns
either a prize or a non-tangible reward.

You know your students best and combined with best practices
there are many ways to use punch cards that are worthwhile in the classroom. My
one recommendation is to only punch for something positive, be mindful of the
reward – is it achievable, is it extrinsic or intrinsic, is it meaningful – and
to make objective and measurable goals.

If you do use it for behavior, try to break the behavior into a specific positive one - rather than "good behavior" choose something concrete like "Raises hand at circle time" or "Pushes chair in." For these type of goals, be sure to explain that students may not receive a punch EVERY time so the more they try, the more likely you will see it and punch it.

Also be sure to limit
competition and comparison. One way to
do this is to have different goals for each student. Students can even create their own goal to
track. When students are involved in the process, they are more motivated to reach their goals too.

My editable Emoji punch cards show in this article allow you to type in student
names and goals / rewards so creating a different punch card for each student
is easy. I also find that differentiating punch cards and rewards reduces stress and students will earn punches at different times.

Punch Card Limitations

While punch cards do offer a visual recognition of achievement,
some students struggle with long term rewards and might need feedback right
away to continue to behavior.In the
beginning the punch itself provides that boost, but after a while some students may need more immediate recognition.

For example, a student struggles with returning his
take-home folder. He creates a goal to
track on his punch card so that each time he returns the folder, he get a
punch. After the card is full, he gets a
special privilege…maybe he gets his pictures taken (holding the folder of
course!) and his photo and card added to a Super Improver Wall or emailed home with a positive
message. However, for this particular student, filling the punch card is difficult and lengthy compared with his peers. He feels frustrated and loses motivation.

Also, punch cards are limited in that the “progress” is only
shown on the card itself. This makes
extra steps needed if you want to share these with parents. Sending them back and forth opens up the
chance that it will get lost.

Punch Card Hack

Solve the issues mentioned above by turning an ordinary
punch card into a sticker punch card!All
you need to do is print punch cards onto full sheet sticker paper (or 4x4 large
label paper).

Keep the back of the sticker paper on. Depending on the “slots” of your punch card, you can use a circle puncher to punch out a space. For my Emoji Punch Cards, each Emoji is roughly 16 mm or 5/8 inch so a circle puncher that punches that size works best.

After punching the Emoji out, remove the backing paper and voila, the Emoji is now a sticker!

The punch card still shows how many “slots” are used for long-term tracking, but now students receive an instant reward!

You can have students keep stickers inside a take home folder or wear them home to share with families. Students also like decorating their school supply bins and notebooks too.

Recommended Supplies

I recommend full sheets of printable sticker paper and labels.The prices for this vary, but I have found
the best deals on Amazon purchasing full sheet label paper. This Avery 8165 Label set comes in sets of 25, 50, 100, 500 sheets. Since most punch cards print 4 to a page, you would not need more than 50 sheets for a year. You can also find off-brand label paper for even cheaper. Click the picture for more information about this package:

For punches, Amazon has a small selection including the Punch Bunch one I use but there are other options at Michaels and Hobby Lobby too. Just be sure to use a punch that allows you to view the shape being punched so you can correctly line up the Emoji or other image on the punch card. I have to flip mine upside down to view and then press, which isn't ideal but I'm used to it.

My Emoji punch cards work best with a punch sized 16 mm or 5/8 inch. Click the images to see a quick sample of what is available:

If
your punch cards have irregular slots or you want to save money, simply cut the
sticker out in a square shape or use a larger sized circle punch.